Some buyers will be drawn to the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic because it's the only subcompact built in the U.S. Far more will be won over by the fact that it's the most well-rounded driver in the segment. As the bow-tie brand's newest answer to subcompact sedans and 5-door hatchbacks like the Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta, the Chevy Sonic comes into the world facing stiff competition. And if you're looking for standout styling or go-git-'em driving feel, you can indeed do better than the Sonic. But if you like the idea of an entry-level subcompact that drives more like a comfortable compact car, consider the Sonic an early favorite in your quest for affordable and efficient wheels.

You'll Like This Car If...

In sedan or 5-door hatchback configuration, the 2012 Chevy Sonic is the quietest and most composed subcompact car you can buy. Combined with more conventional styling than some of its key competitors, the Sonic is destined to become a mass-market favorite.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The 2012 Chevy Sonic isn't the smallest car in the category, but it's not as accommodating or flexible as the 2012 Honda Fit. Nor is the interior as polished as the 2012 Hyundai Accent's. And while it proves impressively athletic when pushed, it doesn't encourage that sort of behavior as much as the 2012 Ford Fiesta.

What's Significant About This Car?

The Chevy Aveo had grown so uncompetitive and unloved enough that when it came time for a new generation, Chevy changed everything including the name. With the arrival of the radically improved 2012 Chevy Sonic, the short list of subcompact cars worth considering is now one car longer.

Driving the Sonic

Driving Impressions
Around town and on the highway, the 2012 Chevy Sonic sets a new standard for subcompact driving refinement. The category as a whole has gotten less skittish and less buzzy...

in recent years, but the new Sonic ups the ante considerably and drives like a bigger, pricier car than any of its competitors. It's not perfect, though. The up-level turbocharged engine available on LT and LZ models offers excellent fuel economy but suffers from the same quirky power delivery that hurt the Sonic's Chevy Cruze big brother in our most recent compact sedan comparison test. And until spring 2012, the turbocharged engine is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission – a combination that magnifies the engine's idiosyncrasies. Fortunately, the base-level 1.8-liter engine costs less, is available with the 6-speed automatic transmission right out of the gate, and delivers – in some ways – a better driving experience. It may be down on power, refinement and efficiency compared to the turbo option, but it's still one of the category's most powerful engines. One of the front-wheel-drive Sonic's best tricks is how it manages to deliver both segment-leading highway manners with impressive road-holding abilities. It's not stretching the leash to charge a canyon road, but you might be impressed by the grip and stability it delivers if that's what you want to do. We were.

Favorite Features

Digital SpeedometerWe like traditional tachometers – the needle helps you time shifts and more quickly conveys the relative speed of the engine - but when it comes to tracking vehicle speed, two digits is better.

Bluetooth AudioIf your phone and digital music player are one, and you take more short trips than long drives, you'll appreciate the ability to play your music without having to constantly plug and unplug your phone.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Details

Interior

Like the outside, the inside of the 2012 Chevy Sonic is a mix of conservative design with a touch of 2-wheeler inspiration manifested in the form of a compact gauge cluster with a digital speedometer. Like many of the newer subcompact cars, a key highlight of the Sonic interior is simply the dearth of weak spots common to the category's cabins only a few years ago. Worth noting are that the cupholders are good but awkwardly placed too rearward between the front seats, the backseat is one of the category's roomiest, and the 2-glovebox layout is especially nice for those who use a dedicated digital music player (the USB port is located in the smaller top box).

Exterior

The motorcycle-inspired headlights notwithstanding, the 2012 Chevy Sonic is among the more traditionally styled subcompact cars in the segment. While it won't generate as much excitement as the crisper styling of the Ford Fiesta or Hyundai Accent, the flip side is that it won't push as many people away. One fun detail to check out: On the 5-door hatchback model, Chevy's designers "hid" the rear door handle in the black area of the C-pillar, in an effort to give the car a little bit of a 2-door look at first glance. Also, we love that even the base Chevy Sonic includes alloy wheels, as opposed to the covered steel wheels more common on base trims in the category.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

In sedan or 5-door hatchback form, a 2012 Chevy Sonic LS includes a 1.8-liter engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 15-inch aluminum wheels, air conditioning, 4-speaker AM/FM/Aux sound system and OnStar with a 6-month subscription that includes convenient turn-by-turn navigation. You might notice power windows and mirrors are missing from the list - Chevy's omission, not ours (but not unusual for base-level subcompacts). A full range of standard safety equipment includes 10 airbags.

The bad news is that the more powerful, more fuel-efficient turbocharged engine won't be available with an automatic transmission until spring 2012. The good news is that the base 1.8-liter engine is a viable option with more linear power delivery. In fact, the pricier turbocharged engine's key strength isn't the added torque but the 5-mpg advantage in highway fuel economy. We haven't yet tested the 5-speed manual, but we were impressed by both the 6-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions.

"It is great car. It rides smooth, has a lot power for a small engine, the style is nice. The only cons I don't like is that the ls base model does not come with power windows, cruise control, and power mirrors."

Good on gas ( average 32.9mpg) comfortable ride

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating

9/10

Value

10/10

Reliability

10/10

Quality

10/10

Performance

9/10

Styling

9/10

Comfort

9/10

Pros: "Comfortable Econo car a lot of extras + Onstar"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"A very good Economy car lt's got a lot of feature on LT ! Own this Sonic for a year now very comfortable ride! Will be riding too Florida this Fall!!! This Car is made here in thee USA !!!!! I get very good gas mileage I average 32.9 MPG I can get on the highway 38MPG (and I can have a HEAVY FOOT sometimes)!OnStar is great( what you pay to keep it you save on Insurance) You can beat the Price I got over $4,000 Incentives The sticker price was over $19,000 . So I got a car for around $15000 BEFORE my Trade ! Try and get a Japan or Korean Car for that!!! Chevy has a good Car HERE!!!"

"I needed a commuter car to put 30K miles a year on for a few years into a rough neighborhood in NJ with little parking. This peppy turbo makes the 80 million drive fun and surprisingly comfortable. The leather seats and seat warmers at great in the winter, and the sunroof lets me enjoy the sun,like a convertible without the hassle of a soft top. Fills the bill as a good commuter car. Mileage is less than the 40MPG touted- more like 33 average. Looks like a Mini Cooper but much cheaper to purchase listing side-by-side options."

"For what I paid, I can not believe the great combination of fun and utility, coupled with great fuel economy in this car. We plan on getting another Sonic when we are in the market. Not extreme luxury, but very comfortable, even for my 6'5" husband., who can not slide the driver's seat, all the way back to drive in comfort, so NBA ready! People looking for a good value AND a good time, check this one out. The 6 speed manual is a joy to drive!"

"I bought the car because I thought it was cute, my price range, I like Chevy products and good mileage. I have owned 3 Malibu's in the past. I was extremely disappointed in the Quality of the Sonic. Little things kept falling off, the windows are so thin that the heat and/or cold comes in very quickly so no insulation. Also the radio quit working when temps got to be over 105 degrees on a number of occasions. The motor light kept coming on and after a number of tries, found out it was a hose that was split in two different areas. The engine is loud and really is not made well at all. Completely disappointed that Chevy would come out with a car that is not up to their standard. I can't wait to get a new car because this one is history!"

"what a cute little car...I fell in love with it on the internet while shopping around...drives great hugs the road and has a short center of gravity that makes driving fun again...quite peppy impressed even my hubby...goes anywhere we've taken it just fine...it is a small car but it doesn't feel like it driving or getting in and out of it. MPG has been great...better than sticker on RS version. One drawback is the cup-holders as they're kinda awkward to get to and I'm not crazy about how small the sun visor is and the fact it is not adjustable on the side...if these two small things were addressed would make the care even more impressive."